Showing posts with label sandestin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sandestin. Show all posts
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Prices Going Up In Florida in April Reports!
Fla.’s housing market: Prices, listings rise in April
ORLANDO, Fla. – May 22, 2014 – Florida's housing market reported higher median prices, more new listings and a slight rise in inventory in April, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 21,385 last month, up 4.1 percent over the April 2013 figure.
"Florida's strengthening economy and increased jobs outlook are positive signs for continued growth in the state's housing market," said 2014 Florida Realtors®President Sherri Meadows, CEO and team leader, Keller Williams, with market centers in Gainesville, Ocala and The Villages. "Statewide, new listings for single-family homes in April rose 9.2 percent year-over-year, while new townhouse-condo listings rose 1.4 percent. This increase in listings shows many Florida homeowners are continuing to regain equity in their homes. Potential sellers who were on the sidelines now believe the time is right to put their residences on the market.
"And, for the 29th month in row, median sales prices rose year-over-year for both single-family homes and townhome-condo properties."
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $175,000, up 6.1 percent from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis (IDA) department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. The statewide median price for townhouse-condo properties in April was $140,500, up 9.8 percent over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), thenational median sales price for existing single-family homes in March 2014 was $198,200, up 7.4 percent from the previous yearthenational median existing condo price was $200,800.In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in March was $435,470; in Massachusetts, it was $314,063; in Maryland, it was $245,891; and in New York, it was$217,500.
Looking at Florida's townhome-condo market, statewide closed sales totaled 10,766 last month, down 5.1 percent compared to April 2013. The closed sales data reflected fewer short sales last month compared to the previous year: Short sales for condo-townhome properties declined 57.9 percent while short sales for single-family homes dropped 51.5 percent. Closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.
"We continue to see the development of a sustainable market here in Florida," said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. "The numbers all suggest a balanced market, and the slight uptick in inventory is a correction for the historically low levels we've seen over the past two or three years.
"If there's anything that jumps out of these numbers, it is the rapidly disappearing short sale market. The decline in short sales – a characteristic seen all over the country – is a function of rising prices reducing the number of candidate properties for short sales. We expect this will continue as the market continues to improve."
Inventory was at a 5.7-months' supply last month for single-family homes and at a 6-months' supply for townhouse-condo properties, according to Florida Realtors.
According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.34 percent in April 2014, up from the 3.45 percent average recorded during the same month a year earlier.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Emerald Coast On The Rise
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Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Green Clean!
Green Housecleaning Makes a Healthier Home
Green cleaning is on the rise. Many homeowners and professional housecleaners are trading their bleach, pine-scented and other potentially toxic cleaning chemicals in for more environmentally friendly and all-natural cleaners.
"Spraying potentially toxic chemical-based cleaners into the air, pouring them down the sink or dumping them in landfills has a negative effect on both our health and our environment," says Angie's List founder Angie Hicks. "Your home no longer needs to smell like bleach or other chemicals to be considered clean. There are plenty of all-natural cleaning products that do an equally effective job, are easy on your pocketbook and are better for you and your family's health and for Mother Earth."
Many professional housecleaners are relying on biodegradable, non-toxic cleaners like baking soda, white distilled vinegar and some essential oils with disinfectant qualities (lemon, tea tree oil and eucalyptus, for example) to clean and disinfect. Distilled vinegar, for example, will kill nearly all bacteria with which it comes into contact, while baking soda is great for scrubbing out stains and even freshening up carpets and sink drains. Some cleaning companies make a concerted effort to find other ways to further reduce their environmental impact, like cleaning and reusing towels and rags instead of using and throwing away power towels or sponges.
"As awareness for eco-friendly cleaning increases, many cleaning companies are turning exclusively to non-toxic products or are willing to supply them at a customer's request," Hicks says. "Homeowners interested in hiring an eco-friendly housecleaner should still do their research before they hire and ask what products the housecleaner plans to use. Also check that the housecleaner is licensed, insured and bonded. That protects the company and the homeowner in the event an employee is injured on the job or damages property.
Consumers interested in purchasing eco-friendly cleaning products should always read the ingredient list to determine what the product is really made from. Many over-the-counter cleaning products are touted by the manufacturer as being green but still contain chemicals.
"It's never too late to go green when you clean," Hicks says. "Box up all those chemicals you no longer want and take them to a local hazardous waste center. Replace them with all-natural cleaning products or by using an eco-friendly cleaning service. Your home will still smell and look great."
Professional housecleaners are often a great value for busy homeowners, as they are often able to do the job in a fraction of the time it would take the average homeowner. Some professionals offer one-time cleans or can set you up on a less frequent rotation.
A typical cleaning includes dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning of bathrooms and wiping down of all hard surfaces. There are projects many cleaners won't take on or will charge extra for, like doing dishes, laundry, washing windows; or deeper cleans, like refrigerators, cabinets and stoves.
Always spell out your expectations before you hire and make sure you are clear on how the company bills its customers.
To keep your home cleaner longer, professional housecleaners recommend minimizing clutter and sweeping and vacuuming between cleanings.
Copyright© 2012 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be republished without permission from RISMedia.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Mortgage Rates Continue To Drop!
Florida Housing Market
The recovery in Florida's housing market continues to grow stronger and stronger. Pending sales up 43.1% for single family homes and up 33.4% for condos/townhomes. Some areas in Florida are having a shortage of inventory which is resulting in multiple offers.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Monday, April 30, 2012
Existing-Home Sales Decline in March but Inventory Down, Prices Stabilizing
Existing-home sales were down in March but continue to outpace year-ago levels, while inventory tightened and home prices are showing further signs of stabilizing, according to the National Realtors Association.
Wonderful Events on the Emerald Coast for May and June! Click on this link to see all that this area offers. Something for everyone!!!
Events on the Emerald Coast in May!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Retired Moving To Florida In Large Numbers!
Monday, December 19, 2011
Loan Mortgage Rates Tie Record Low!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
REO Sales
When will REO sales finally reach the peak?
NEW YORK – Oct. 19, 2011 – Properties repossessed through foreclosure may not peak until 2013, HousingWire reports, quoting several analysts and recent reports.
Foreclosure sales are expected to reach 1.48 million properties in 2013, according to analysts from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
However, with the surge, “we do not expect to see anywhere near the downward pressure on home prices that we had back in 2008, since the expected percent changes in liquidation volumes are so much smaller,” the analysts said.
The increase in foreclosures is expected to mostly change from private banks’ portfolios – which nearly half are from now – to the government’s backlog of properties, with an increase in foreclosures forecasted from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s portfolios. Overall, they are expected to liquidate about 595,000 properties in 2013.
To handle the expected surge, the government continues to consider ideas, including proposals of turning some of the foreclosures into rentals, and a plan from the Federal Housing Finance Agency to refinance more underwater borrowers so they’ll be less likely to walk away from their property.
But some analysts are skeptical that a surge in foreclosures will come without an intervention from the government.
“Do they really think that the government under any administration would let 500,000 homes hit the mark and crash prices all over again, six years after the first crash?” Scott Sambucci, chief analyst at Altos Research, told HousingWire.
Source: “REO Sales May Not Peak Until 2013,” HousingWire (Oct. 17, 2011)
Foreclosure sales are expected to reach 1.48 million properties in 2013, according to analysts from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
However, with the surge, “we do not expect to see anywhere near the downward pressure on home prices that we had back in 2008, since the expected percent changes in liquidation volumes are so much smaller,” the analysts said.
The increase in foreclosures is expected to mostly change from private banks’ portfolios – which nearly half are from now – to the government’s backlog of properties, with an increase in foreclosures forecasted from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s portfolios. Overall, they are expected to liquidate about 595,000 properties in 2013.
To handle the expected surge, the government continues to consider ideas, including proposals of turning some of the foreclosures into rentals, and a plan from the Federal Housing Finance Agency to refinance more underwater borrowers so they’ll be less likely to walk away from their property.
But some analysts are skeptical that a surge in foreclosures will come without an intervention from the government.
“Do they really think that the government under any administration would let 500,000 homes hit the mark and crash prices all over again, six years after the first crash?” Scott Sambucci, chief analyst at Altos Research, told HousingWire.
Source: “REO Sales May Not Peak Until 2013,” HousingWire (Oct. 17, 2011)
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Homes for sale declining across South Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Oct. 5, 2011 – The number of homes and condominiums for sale has steadily declined across South Florida in 2011, frustrating buyers and leading to bidding wars in some cases, real estate agents say.
An October update from Chip Rowand of the Keyes Co. in Weston shows that Broward County has 13,480 single-family homes and condos for sale. In Palm Beach County, there are 15,782 homes and condos on the market.
Those figures are less than half of what they were a few years ago, Rowand said.
“We’re seeing multiple showings and multiple offers if the homes are priced right,” he said. “We need more inventory.”
Analysts expect that’ll happen soon enough as a new wave of foreclosures hits the market.
The foreclosure pipeline slowed considerably last year as banks investigated possible paperwork errors as part of the “robo-signer” controversy. Now lenders are starting to process foreclosures more quickly.
Last week, research firm CoreLogic reported that the so-called shadow inventory of homes for sale declined to 1.6 million in July from 1.9 million a year ago.
Shadow inventory is a hidden supply of homes that are likely to come on the market as a result of foreclosures.
“The steady improvement in the shadow inventory is a positive development for the housing market,” Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic, said in a statement. “However, continued price declines, high levels of (underwater mortgages) and a sluggish labor market will keep the shadow supply elevated for an extended period of time.”
© 2011 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Paul Owers. Distributed by MCT Information Services
An October update from Chip Rowand of the Keyes Co. in Weston shows that Broward County has 13,480 single-family homes and condos for sale. In Palm Beach County, there are 15,782 homes and condos on the market.
Those figures are less than half of what they were a few years ago, Rowand said.
“We’re seeing multiple showings and multiple offers if the homes are priced right,” he said. “We need more inventory.”
Analysts expect that’ll happen soon enough as a new wave of foreclosures hits the market.
The foreclosure pipeline slowed considerably last year as banks investigated possible paperwork errors as part of the “robo-signer” controversy. Now lenders are starting to process foreclosures more quickly.
Last week, research firm CoreLogic reported that the so-called shadow inventory of homes for sale declined to 1.6 million in July from 1.9 million a year ago.
Shadow inventory is a hidden supply of homes that are likely to come on the market as a result of foreclosures.
“The steady improvement in the shadow inventory is a positive development for the housing market,” Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic, said in a statement. “However, continued price declines, high levels of (underwater mortgages) and a sluggish labor market will keep the shadow supply elevated for an extended period of time.”
© 2011 Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Paul Owers. Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
National Geographic Lists DESTIN as one of top Ten BEST FALL TRIPS!
National Geographic has just put out it’s Best Fall Trips 2011 lists, and names The Emerald Coast as one of it’s choices! Among the reasons this area was chosen are the comfortable temperatures that are perfect for swimming and fishing in the emerald green waters, and for golfing among the areas beautiful golf courses. More than 30,000 fishing enthusiasts visit in October for the Destin Fishing Rodeo, and The Destin Seafood Festival is also in October. Discounts can also be found at local condos and hotels in the fall.
The other places listed on the Best Fall Trips 2011 include Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, Switzerland, Cannstatter Volkfest, Stuttgart, Germany, Columbus, Ohio, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, Dublin, Ireland, White Mountains, New Hampshire, Shoreline Highway, Marin County, California, and Day of the Dead, Puebla, Mexico.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Coldwell Banker United Destin Cares
CBU Cares: From dream homes to children in need, CBU Realtors strive to provide
September 17, 2011 1:20 PM
As well as helping homebuyers and sellers with their real estate quests, the agents of Coldwell Banker United are passionate about supporting local charities and children in need.
“Last year, a group of agents got together and created the idea of an internal organization to raise money for charities in the community that they’re passionate about,” said Jamie Huggins, CBU sales manager and broker.
That dream of an informal organization quickly grew into a formal foundation known as CBU Cares. After each sale, each of the 59 agents pledge to make a donation of a certain percentage of their sales commission.
Volunteer CBU Realtors, known as the Vision Council, recently went through agent-submitted applications and decided that Children in Crisis was exactly what they were looking for in their first act of charity as a foundation.
At Wednesday’s sales meeting, CBU Realtors presented Ken Hair, the president and CEO of Children in Crisis, a check for $2,500.
CIC is a nonprofit charity in Fort Walton Beach that provides homes for neglected, abused and abandoned children of the community. Hair said they were very happy and thankful to be selected as CBU Cares’ signature charity.
“The money will go to feed, clothe and care for these children,” Hair said. “It’s because of donations from places like Coldwell Banker that we are able to keep our doors open.”
CBU Cares is an agent-driven foundation with the dream of contributing time and money to local organizations and charities. Coldwell Banker United also supports Habitat for Humanity and breast cancer research through the American Cancer Society.
“One of our five core values is supporting and being a part of the community,” Huggins said, adding that CBU Cares will make an annual donation to Children in Crisis. “That is my dream for this office.”
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